Winding device for strap fastener

ABSTRACT

A strap fastener system includes a strap fastener for fastening a belt and a winding device for winding the strap. The winding device includes a housing, a reel, a control device and a torque spring. The reel is put in the housing for winding the strap. The control device is partially and movably installed in the housing between a rotational position and a non-rotational position. A torque spring is arranged between the reel and the control device for automatically rotating the reel in the non-rotational position of the control device.

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287733.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a strap fastener and, more particularly, to a winding device that can be switched between an automatic mode and a manual mode.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] According to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287733, an automatic winding device 2 is provided for a strap fastener 1. The automatic winding device 2 includes a housing 3, a reel 4 rotationally put in the housing 3 for winding a first strap 5 introduced through the strap fastener 1 and a spring 6 connected between the housing 3 and the reel 4. A shaft 33 is securely put in the housing 3 for supporting the reel 4. The spring 6 includes a first end secured to the shaft 33 and a second end secured to the reel 4. Two ratchet wheels 42 are formed on the reel 4. A detent 7 is movably mounted on the housing 3 for releasable engagement with the reel 4. The ratchet wheels 42 and the detent 7 are however complicated in structure. Moreover, after being used for some time, the spring 6 will become slack and incapable of adequately winding the first strap 5. The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a strap fastener with a winding device that can be switched between an automatic mode and a manual mode.

[0005] A strap fastener system includes a strap fastener for fastening a belt and a winding device for winding the strap. The winding device includes a housing, a reel, a control device and a torque spring. The reel is put in the housing for winding the strap. The control device is partially and movably installed in the housing between a rotational position and a non-rotational position. A torque spring is arranged between the reel and the control device for automatically rotating the reel in the non-rotational position of the control device.

[0006] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the attached drawings.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap fastener equipped with a winding device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the strap fastener and the winding device of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the strap fastener and the winding device of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 but shows the strap fastener in a different position.

[0013]FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows the winding device in a different position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a strap fastener 1 is equipped with a winding device 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The strap fastener 1 is conventional and therefore will not be described in detail. However, it is stated here that the strap fastener 1 includes an axle 11 in which a slot 12 is defined.

[0015] The winding device 2 includes a housing 3, a reel 4 put in the housing 3, a control device 7 partially and movably installed in the housing 3 between a rotational position and a non-rotational position and a spring 6 arranged between the reel 4 and the control device 7. A first strap 5 is wound on the reel 4 and inserted through the slot 12. The first strap 5 is connected with a first hook 51. A second strap 8 is attached to the strap fastener 1. The second strap 8 is connected with a second hook 81.

[0016] The housing 3 includes a first wall 31 and a second wall 32 opposite to the first wall 31. A square aperture 33 is defined in the first wall 31. A circular aperture 34 is defined in the second wall 32.

[0017] The control device 7 includes a shaft 71, an enlarged square portion 75 formed at an end, an enlarged circular portion 76 formed at an opposite end, a knob 72 integrated with the square portion 75 and a slit 77 defined therein. The control device 7 further includes a spring 73 and a ring 74.

[0018] In assembly, the spring 6 is put in the reel 4. A first end of the spring 6 is secured to the reel 4. The reel 4 and the spring 6 are both put in the casing 30. The shaft 71 is inserted into the casing 3 through the square aperture 33 and from the casing 3 through the circular aperture 34. A second end of the spring 6 is inserted into the slit 77. The spring 73 is put around the shaft 71. The circular enlarged portion 76 of the shaft 71 is forced through the ring 74 due to elasticity resulting from the slit 77. The spring 73 is compressed between the second wall 32 and the ring 74 that is put against the enlarged circular portion 76 of the shaft 71. Thus, the enlarged square portion 75 is biased towards the first wall 31.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the enlarged square portion 75 of the shat 71 is put in the square aperture 33. Thus, the shaft 71 is not rotational relative to the casing 30, i.e., in the non-rotational position. To use the strap fastener 1 and the winding device 2, a user hooks the second hook 81 on a proper position. The user pulls the first strap 5 from the reel 4, thus tensioning the spring 6. The user hooks the first hook 51 on a proper position. Then, referring to FIG. 5, the user operates the strap fastener 1 to fasten the first strap 5. The strap fastener 1 can be returned to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so as to allow the spring 6 to rotate the reel 4, thus winding the first strap 5. However, after being used for some time, the spring 6 might become slack and incapable of winding the first strap 5 completely back onto the reel 4. Should this happen, manual winding of the first strap 5 onto the reel 4 is required. Referring to FIG. 6, the enlarged square portion 75 of the shaft 71 can be moved from the square aperture 33 by means of operating the knob 72. By means of operating the knob 72, the shaft 71 can be rotated so as to rotate the reel 4 through the spring 6. Thus, the first strap 5 can be wound onto the reel manually.

[0020] The present invention has been described via illustration of the preferred embodiment. After a study of this specification, those skilled in the art can derive various variations from the preferred embodiment. Therefore, the preferred embodiment is only taken as an example and shall not limit the scope of the present invention that is defined in the claims. 

1. A strap fastener system comprising: a strap fastener for fastening a belt; and a winding device including a housing, a reel put in the housing for winding the strap, a control device partially and movably installed in the housing between a rotational position and a non-rotational position and a torque spring arranged between the reel and the control device for automatically rotating the reel in the non-rotational position of the control device.
 2. The strap fastener system of claim 1 wherein the control device includes a shaft substantially extending in the housing, and the torque spring includes a first end attached to the reel and a second end attached to the shaft.
 3. The strap fastener system of claim 2 wherein the shaft includes a square enlarged portion formed near a first end, and the housing includes a first wall defining a square aperture for receiving the square enlarged portion of the shaft in the non-rotational position.
 4. The strap fastener system of claim 3 wherein the control device includes a knob attached to the square enlarged portion of the shaft.
 5. The strap fastener system of claim 3 wherein the shaft further includes a circular enlarged portion formed near a second end, and the housing includes a second wall defining a circular aperture through which the circular enlarged portion of the shaft is inserted.
 6. The strap fastener system of claim 5 wherein the control device further includes a compression spring compressed between the circular enlarged portion of the shaft and the second wall of the housing, thus biasing the control element into the non-rotational position.
 7. The strap fastener system of claim 6 wherein the control device further includes a ring put around the shaft and against the circular enlarged portion of the shaft so that the compression spring is compressed between the ring and the second wall of the housing.
 8. The strap fastener system of claim 2 wherein the shaft defines a slit for receiving the second end of the torque spring.
 9. The strap fastener system of claim 1 wherein the torque spring is a coil spring.
 10. The strap fastener system of claim 6 wherein the compression spring is a helical spring. 